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Cardiovascular health and cognitive function: the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study
Georgina E Crichton1, Merrill F Elias2, Adam Davey3
1Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia; Centre de Recherche Public Santé, Centre d'Etudes en Santé, Strassen, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.
Plos One
|March 6, 2014
Summary
Improving cardiovascular health, measured by ideal levels of key metrics, is linked to better cognitive function. Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise significantly impact brain health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular health research
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Public health
Background:
- Poor cardiovascular health indicators (obesity, inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, glucose) are linked to reduced cognitive performance.
- Limited research has explored combined cardiovascular health metrics' impact on multiple cognitive domains.
- This study aimed to assess the relationship between comprehensive cardiovascular health and cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between overall cardiovascular health, encompassing seven key components, and cognitive function.
- To determine if a composite measure of cardiovascular health predicts cognitive performance.
- To identify specific cardiovascular health factors and behaviors influencing cognition.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 972 participants from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study.
- Measured four health behaviors (BMI, physical activity, diet, smoking) and three health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose) against American Heart Association ideal levels.
- Calculated a Cardiovascular Health Score based on ideal metrics and assessed cognitive function using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.
Main Results:
- A higher Cardiovascular Health Score positively correlated with seven out of eight cognitive function measures, even after adjusting for age, education, and gender.
- These associations remained significant for Visual-Spatial Memory, Working Memory, Scanning and Tracking, Executive Function, and Global Composite score after further adjustments.
- Ideal levels of several cardiovascular health factors and behaviors were associated with enhanced global cognitive performance.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced cardiovascular health, indicated by more ideal metrics, is associated with superior cognitive performance.
- Key lifestyle factors including smoking, physical activity, and diet are crucial components of cardiovascular health that significantly influence cognitive abilities.
- Promoting ideal cardiovascular health may be a strategy to support cognitive function across the lifespan.
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